The Top 25 Sex and the City locations

May 27, 2008 | Posted in Trip Ideas & Itineraries
By Molly Moker
Fodor's Editor
With the Sex and the City movie opening on May 30, the spotlight is swinging back to New York. The city itself has been called the fifth major SATC character, alongside the fabulous foursome of Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda. Tour Manhattan with this guide to the television series' most memorable real-life locations. As for Brooklyn---well, we may have some tips for you once the movie is out! Updated: Movie locations and map link
We've organized these sights geographically, from the southern tip of Manhattan all the way up to Central Park. To take your own SATC walk, choose either the downtown or uptown half of our list—or be ready to hop in several taxis along the way, as there's a lot of ground to cover!
Downtown
Staten Island Ferry. On the girls' way home from a firefighter-calendar contest in Staten Island, Charlotte announces to the world, "I'm getting married this year!" The 25-minute boat ride gives great views of lower Manhattan, and best of all, it's free! Departs from the Whitehall Street Ferry Terminal

Century 21. Carrie hits this legendary discount department store while serving jury duty. Braving the bare-bones dressing rooms and scoring a terrific deal is practically a New Yorker's rite of passage. 22 Cortland Street

Onieal's. Scenes at Steve's pub, Scout, were filmed at this Little Italy bar-restaurant. Once a speakeasy, the building had a tunnel connecting it to the police headquarters across the street. 174 Grand Street

Patricia Field. Crimson-haired Field has been New York's iconic vendor of club-kid clothes for decades. Then she became the stylist for SATC and her name ricocheted around the world. Her current downtown store is packed with outrageous clothes and accessories; some, like the nameplate necklaces, hark back to the show. 302 Bowery

Trapeze School New York. Carrie takes a flying leap for an assignment and realizes the value of a safety net. At this branch of TSNY, students swing over the Hudson River– and locals love watching them from a waterfront promenade. Pier 40, on West Street

Pastis. Carrie and "the Russian" have brunch at this popular French bistro. If you plan to visit, make your reservations at least a week in advance; the buzz is still going strong. 9 Ninth Avenue

St. Mark's Comics. Here's where Carrie meets mama's boy Wade. The East Village shop has all the comics, graphic novels, and action figures a teen collector could handle. 11 St. Marks Place

Gray's Papaya. Carrie stops at this takeout spot for a hot dog after her swanky book party. The signature partner to the frank is a cup of luscious papaya juice. How they came up with that combination is beyond us… but it works. 402 Sixth Avenue

Jefferson Market Garden. Miranda and Steve get married in this unassuming community park. The Greenwich Village green space is also popular with kids, especially during the park's spring and fall childrens' festivals. Greenwich Avenue between Sixth Avenue and W. 10th Street

Tasti D-Lite. Charlotte and Harry walked here together, with romance in the "whipped air." The frozen desserts at this New York-born chain are billed as a low-guilt alternative to soft-serve ice cream. These days, though, they're facing tough competition from the new wave of frozen yogurt. 436 Sixth Avenue

Il Cantinori. Carrie celebrates her 35th birthday here– alone. This was one of the first New York restaurants to do Tuscan food in a sophisticated setting, and celebs rely on it for its discretion. 32 E. 10th Street

Magnolia Bakery. Carrie tells Miranda about a major crush while scarfing down one of this bakery's signature cupcakes. Magnolia's buttercream-topped treats ignited a sweeping cupcake craze. Here's a local tip: for a faster fix, skip the long line at the original Bleecker Street location and head uptown to the second branch on Columbus Avenue. 401 Bleecker Street, 200 Columbus Avenue
City Bakery. Carrie and Samantha discuss "the face girl" over lunch at this polished take on a cafeteria. New Yorkers love City Bakery for its pretzel croissants and, as Carrie proclaims, the best brownies in New York. 3 W. 18th Street

Pete's Tavern. While sitting on the patio, Miranda asks Steve to marry her. Pete's is the longest continuously operating bar and restaurant in the city. 129 E. 18th Street

Uptown
Eleven Madison Park. Big breaks the news to Carrie: he's engaged to the "stick figure with no soul." Although the location evokes heartache for loyal SATC fans, the restaurant is one of the most innovative in the city. 11 Madison Avenue

Church of the Transfiguration. Samantha tries to get to know a priest in the Biblical sense at this house of worship. Called the "Little Church Around the Corner," this church has longstanding ties to New York's theater community. It got its nickname in 1870 when the rector of a nearby church turned down a request to bury an actor, referring to a "little church around the corner" that would do "that sort of thing." At the time, acting was considered a scandalous profession. SATC probably wouldn't change that rector's mind… 1 E. 29th Street

New York Public Library Humanities and Social Sciences. While lunching on the library's steps, Miranda tells two strangers "he's just not that into you." Behind the library is Bryant Park, where Carrie became "fashion road kill" on the runway at a charity show. Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street

Russian Samovar. Bring on the blini and caviar! Carrie has a memorable first date with the mysterious artist Aleksandr Petrovsky at this classic Russian restaurant. The renowned dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, who played Petrovsky, is one of the restaurant's investors. 256 W. 52nd Street

Manolo Blahnik. Sarah Jessica Parker claimed to be able to run a marathon in Carrie's favorite shoes: Manolo Blahniks, famed for sky-high stilettos (and prices). 31 W. 54th Street

Takashimaya. The four friends hit a different kind of bar (perfume, not cocktails) and Carrie announces her intention to take a "lovah." For more divine scents, visit the florist section of this serene Japanese department store. 693 Fifth Avenue

Tiffany & Co. Charlotte and Trey do some serious ring-shopping at this classic jeweler. New Yorkers love Tiffany for its silver as well as for its sparklers. 727 Fifth Avenue

The Paris Theatre. Carrie muses, "the most amazing thing about living in a city like New York is that any night of the week you can go to Paris." She goes to see a movie on her own on "date night" at this glamorous, old-school, single-screen theater. The most romantic seats in the house are up in the balcony. 4 W. 58 Street

The Plaza. Carrie sees Big in front of the Plaza after his engagement party, and the iconic "Ex and the City" monologue begins. Reopened in 2008 after a massive renovation, the historic Plaza is now part-hotel, part-condo, and all luxury. 768 Fifth Avenue


Columbus Circle Fountains. Carrie and Aidan realize it's not going to work once and for all at this picturesque fountain. The fountain steps and benches are a great place for an alfresco snack, after picking up a treat from the adjacent Time Warner Center's Bouchon Bakery. Central Park West and Broadway

The Boathouse Restaurant. Carrie and Big meet here for lunch… and an unintentional swim. Set right on Central Park Lake, the Boathouse is a romantic place for brunch or dinner; an authentic Venetian gondola sometimes glides by. Park Drive North, near E. 72nd Street


Bonus: Five More SATC Locations
June 01, 2008 | Posted in Trip Ideas & Itineraries
By Molly Moker
Fodor's Editor
Now that the Sex and the City movie has opened, here's a peek at five special NYC sights that appear in the flick. But we promise, no spoilers! As with our tour based on the original show, we've given these sights in geographic order, starting downtown and heading up Manhattan. Visit our map to plan your route.
Brooklyn Bridge. Miranda has a life-changing moment on this stunning span. Now's a perfect time to stroll across this landmark, as it celebrates its 125th birthday this year. Walkway accessed at Park Row, near City Hall on the Manhattan side
Buddakan. Carrie and Mr. Big hold their rehearsal dinner at this enormous modern-Asian restaurant on the edge of the Meatpacking District. It's very much a scene, whether you're at the long communal table (à la Carrie and Company) or in the more intimate library room. 75 Ninth Avenue
New York Public Library: Humanities and Social Sciences. Carrie and her friends get a nasty shock on the grand marble staircase here. The drama continues in the street just outside, literally stopping traffic. Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street
Lumi. Charlotte has a meltdown at this Upper East Side Italian restaurant. Ladies-who-lunch snag seats on the patio in good weather, or by the fireplace in the romantic upstairs dining room. 963 Lexington Avenue
1010 Fifth Avenue. Is there an apartment big enough for both labels and love? Carrie and Big are smitten with a penthouse across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Although the building's exterior is real, the interior (and jaw-dropping closet) was a set. Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street